Venting cap

ABSTRACT

A bottle cap is provided that allows for venting of gases generated in a bottle. A single or multiple ridges are formed on the inner surface of the cap top such that the ridges sit on the bottle mouth rim when the cap is threaded onto the bottle. A single or multiple slots may be formed across each of the ridges. Alternatively, a single or multiple grooves may be formed on the inner surface of the cap top. The ridge(s) or groove(s) may also be formed on a disc fitted over the inner surface of the cap top. When the cap is threaded on to the bottle, gases generated in the bottle can escape through the slot(s) formed across the ridge(s) or through the groove (s) formed on the inner surface of the cap top. A liner having an opening formed through its thickness may be placed in the cap. The liner opening allows the passage of gases from the bottle to the slot(s) or groove(s) formed on the cap top or disc.

NOTICE

More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S.Pat. No. 6,202,870. The reissue applications are Reissue applicationSer. No. 09/995,483 which was filed on Nov. 28, 2001 and thisapplication which is a divisional of Reissue application Ser. No.09/995,483.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of Reissue application Ser. No.09/995,483, filed on Nov. 28, 2001, which is a reissue of applicationSer. No. 09/277,918 filed Mar. 29, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,870.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bottle caps which when screwed on a bottleallow for the venting of gases generated in the bottle.

Shampoos, cold creams and other cosmetics are typically prepared underheat and are poured into plastic containers such as bottles usuallywhile still hot. The plastic bottles containing the hot cosmeticmaterial are capped, trapping the hot gases generated by the hotcosmetics. When capped, a lower or inner surface 10 of the cap top seatsagainst the mouth 12 of the bottle 14 forming a seal (FIG. 1).Consequently, if capped immediately after filling, the gases generatedby the hot cosmetics generate a pressure within the bottle. The hotpressurized gases cause the plastic bottle to form flat spots. Thiscondition is commonly referred to as “bottle paneling.” Moreover, theincrease in pressure within the bottle may cause the bottles to explodecreating a hazardous condition. One way to avoid pressure build-up andpaneling is to fill the bottles while the cosmetics are cold. When cold,the cosmetics are thick and viscous, thus, having reduced fluidity.Consequently, the filling process is slowed requiring a longer time tofill the bottles.

A typical way of avoiding pressure build-up and paneling is to fill thebottles with the hot cosmetics and wait for a period of time, typicallyin the order of 24 hours, before capping the bottles. This approach alsoslows down the filling process adding to production costs.

Another common way of preventing bottle paneling, incorporates a groovedliner fitted into the bottle cap. The liner typically has a surface thathas grooves forming a cross-hatched pattern as well as holes penetratingits thickness. The bottom surface of the liner is covered with a gaspermeable layer. When fitted into the cap, the grooved surface of theliner is mated to the lower surface of the cap top. When the cap isscrewed onto the bottle, the holes provide a path for gas generatedwithin the bottle to travel to the grooves which provide a path to theinner circumference of the cap from where the gas can escape through thespace created between the cap rim and the bottle neck to the exterior ofthe bottle.

Thus, there is a need for a fail safe bottle cap that would allow forventing of gases generated in a bottle so as to allow for the capping ofbottles immediately after being filled with hot liquids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bottle cap is provided which when screwed on to a bottle provides apath for gases generated in the bottle to escape from the bottle througha spiraling space formed in the threaded region between the innersurface of the bottle cap rim and the outer surface of the bottle neck.

The bottle cap includes one or a plurality of concentric preferablycircular ridges formed on the inner surface of the cap top. Each ofthese ridges is designed to sit on the rim of the bottle mouth when thecap is threaded onto the bottle neck. A slot or multiple slots areformed in each ridge. The slots between adjacent ridges may be staggeredor may be aligned.

In an alternate embodiment, grooves are formed on the inner surface ofthe cap top. When the bottle cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, thegrooves extend from a location on the inner surface of the cap topwithin the mouth of the bottle neck to a location extending to the outeredge of the mouth rim or beyond the mouth rim of the bottle neck.

With every embodiment, when the cap is threaded onto the bottle, gasesgenerated within the bottle can escape across the rim of the mouth ofthe bottle neck through the slots or through the grooves and through thethreaded region between the inner surface of the cap rim and the outersurface of the bottle neck to the exterior of the bottle.

In an alternate embodiment, the ridges or grooves are formed on a discwhich is fitted in the cap over the cap top inner surface. The disc maybe glued on the cap inner surface.

A liner may also be used with the caps of the present invention. Thisliner is typically fitted over the inner surface of the cap top. Anopening is formed in the liner to allow for gases generated in thebottle to penetrate the opening and escape through the slots or groovesformed on the cap top or disc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a typical cap threaded ontoa bottle neck.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of a cap of the presentinvention depicting a ridge formed on the inner surface of the cap tophaving slots formed therethrough.

FIG. 3A is a partial cross-section of a cap of the present inventionthreaded on to a bottle neck.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view depicting the flow of gases through thethreaded space formed between the bottle neck outer surface and the capinner surface.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of a cap of the presentinvention having multiple slotted concentric ridges formed on the innersurface of the cap top.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of a cap of the presentinvention having multiple concentric ridges formed on the inner surfaceof the cap top having staggered slots formed therethrough.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of a cap of the presentinvention having grooves formed on the inner surface of the cap top.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a liner for used with any of the caps ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a cap having a flip top.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a cap having a moveable spout.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of cap fitted with a disc accordingone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of cap fitted with a disc according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the cap with disc of the embodiment show inFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view of a cap threaded onto abottle neck and incorporating a disk having a ridge and a slot therethrough.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross sectional view of a cap threaded on a bottleneck and sandwiching there between a disk having a plurality of grooveswhich extend beyond the rim of the bottle neck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A cap typically consists of a disc shaped top portion 24 from whichextends an annular wall or rim 26 (FIG. 2). Threads 28 are formed on theinner surface 30 of the annular wall 26 for threading on threads 32formed on the outer surface 34 of a bottle neck 36 (FIG. 3). The end ofthe bottle neck has a mouth 40 defined by a rim 42.

In a first embodiment, the cap of the present invention includes acircular ridge 44 formed on the inner surface 46 of the cap top portion(FIG. 2). The circular ridge diameter is smaller than the outer diameterof bottle rim, but greater than the inner diameter of the bottle rimdefining the mouth. In this regard, when the cap is threaded onto thebottle neck, the ridge 44 sits on the bottle neck rim 42 (FIG. 3A).

One or more slots 48 are formed radially across the ridge. If more thanone slot is formed, preferably the slots are equidistantly spaced alongthe ridge circumference. Preferably, four slots are formed spaced at 90°intervals around the ridge.

When the cap is threaded onto the bottle, the ridge sits on the rim 42of the bottle neck. A seal 50 is formed between the ridge and the bottlemouth. The slots, however, provide a path for gas to escape from thebottle through the slots and out through the threaded spiraling space 52between the inner surface of the cap annular wall and the outer surfaceof the bottle neck as shown by arrows 54 (FIG. 3A) or arrows 55 (FIG.3B).

In an alternate embodiment, instead of a single ridge, multipleconcentric spaced apart ridges 56 are formed (FIG. 4). Again, preferablyeach ridge should have a diameter that is smaller than the outerdiameter of mouth of the bottle to be capped but greater than the innerdiameter of the mouth of the bottle to be capped so that they can allmate with the bottle mouth rim 42 when the cap is threaded on to thebottle. At least a single slot 58 is formed radially across each of theridges. If more than one slot is formed, preferably the slots would beequidistantly spaced around the concentric ridges. The concentric ridgesprovide multiple ridge surfaces for sealing with the bottle mouth rim,whereas each slot provides a path for venting to the outside.

In another embodiment, multiple concentric spaced apart ridges 60, 62,64 are formed on the inner surface 46 of the cap top portion (FIG. 5).These ridges form grooves 68 between them. Again, these circular ridgeshave diameters such that they will sit on the rim 42 defining the mouthof the bottle neck when the cap is torqued onto the bottle. Staggeredradial slots 70, 72, 74 are formed across the ridges. Preferably eachslot is formed across a single ridge. At least one slot 70, butpreferably two, are formed on the innermost ridge 60. When more than oneslot is formed on a ridge, the slots should preferably be equidistantlyspaced around the ridge. Similarly, one, or preferably two, slots 72 areformed on the ridge 62 immediately adjacent the innermost ridge 60. Theslot or slots 72 should not be aligned with the slots 70 formed on theinnermost ridge. If two slots 72 are formed, preferably, they are eachlocated at a 180° from each other and spaced 90° away from slots 70formed on the innermost ridge 60. One, or preferably two slots 74 arethen formed on the next adjacent ridge 64. Preferably, these slots arealigned with the slots 70 formed on the inner most ridge 60. Thispattern is preferably repeated until slots are formed on all the ridgesformed on the cap top portion inner surface. Alternatively, the locationof the slots on each ridge may be arbitrary or may be in any otherpreselected pattern. Moreover, each slot may span more than one ridgeand/or the number of slots penetrating each ridge may be different fromridge to ridge.

When the cap is torqued onto the bottle neck, the ridges are seated onthe rim 42 of the bottle neck forming a seal. The slots provide a pathfor gas to escape. Gas will first escape through the slots 70 formed onthe innermost ridge 60 and travel in the groove 68 formed between theinnermost ridge 60 and its adjacent ridge 62 until it reaches the slots72 formed on the adjacent ridge 62 and then escapes through those slots.The gas then follows the various slot and groove paths until it exitsthrough the threaded space 52 between the cap annular wall inner surfaceand the bottle neck outer surface.

In a further embodiment, grooves 76 may be formed on the inner surface78 of the cap top portion inner surface 46 (FIG. 6). These groovesshould preferably span to the edge 80 of the inner surface, i.e., thelocation where the inner surface of the cap top portion intersects theannular wall 82 of the cap, or span to at least a location at/or beyondthe outer edge of the bottle neck rim 42 when the cap is torqued ontothe bottle neck. Preferably, multiple chord-wise grooves are formedacross the inner surface 46 of the cap top portion. The grooves may beparallel to each other and may also cris-cross each other. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 6, the grooves cris-cross each other formingsquares. Moreover, the grooves 76 shown in FIG. 6 are linear and extendtransversely from each other. When the cap is torqued onto the bottleneck, the inner surface 46 of the cap top will seat against the rim 42of the bottle neck. The inner surface 46 of the cap top portion willform a seal with the rim 42 of the bottle neck. The grooves 76, however,will provide a path for gasses formed in the bottle to escape across therim of the bottle neck and through the threaded space 52 between the capannular wall inner surface and the bottle neck.

The caps of the above described embodiments while allowing gas to ventwould also allow some of the liquid to vent if the bottle were turnedupside down and squeezed. When squeezed, the liquid material will travelthrough the slots formed on the ridges and in the later embodimentthrough the grooves 68. The liquid material would eventually gel in theslots and/or grooves sealing the slots and grooves. Thus, once the gasgenerated in the bottle has vented, the slots and/or grooves can besealed by squeezing some of the liquid material through the slots orgrooves as described above, thereby, preventing the escape of anyfurther liquid from the capped bottle.

With all of these embodiments, the grooves, ridges and slots may bemachined into the cap which is typically made of a hard plasticmaterial. Alternatively, the grooves, ridges and slots may also beformed by a molding process. The cap with grooves, or ridges and slotsmay be formed by a single molding process. Alternative the grooves, orridges and slots may be formed by a combination of molding and machiningprocesses.

Because the grooves or ridges are made from the same hard plasticmaterial as the cap, they are not susceptible to collapsing when undercompression, as for example, when compressed against the rim 42 of thebottle mouth under normal cap torquing conditions.

With any of the aforementioned caps, a liner 84 may be used if necessary(FIG. 7). Typically, the liner will sit against the ridges or thegrooved inner surface of the cap top portion. To allow for ventingthrough the liner, at least a hole 80 86 should be formed through theliner thickness 88. The hole should preferably have a diameter betweenabout 0.010 to 0.015 inch. The liner thickness should preferably bebetween about 0.015 and 0.020 inch.

Moreover, any of the aforementioned embodiments may be incorporated innon-conventional caps, such as caps having a flip top or a moveablespout. With flip caps 100, the top 120 of the cap is hingedly connectedto the annular wall or rim 126 of the cap (FIG. 8). In this regard, thetop can be flipped open to allow for the pouring out of the contents ofthe bottle. With spout caps 200, a spout 90 is incorporated on the captop portion 220 of the cap 200 (FIG. 9). The spout can be rotated from aclosed position 90 to an open position 92. When in an open position, apath is provided allowing for the pouring out of the contents of thebottle. With either type of cap, the ridges or grooves are also formedon the inner surface of the cap top portion as described herein.

Furthermore, the ridges or grooves may be formed, preferably by amolding or a machining process, on a disc 300 made from a hard orsemi-hard material such as plastic (FIGS. 10,11,12,13 and 14). The discis sized such that it can fit and sit against the inner surface 46 ofthe cap top portion 24 and such that the ridges 344 (FIGS. 11,12 and 14)or grooves 376 (FIG. 14) can mate with the bottle neck rim 42 whichdefines the bottle mouth 40 as described above. In this regard the discmay be used with conventional caps to provide the necessary venting soas to prevent bottle paneling. Moreover, since the disc is made from ahard or semi-hard material, the risk of collapsing of the ridges ofgrooves which may prevent the venting of gases is decreased. Thethickness of the disc should preferably be in the order of 0.030 inch.The disc may be glued to the inner surface of the cap top portion usingan adhesive compatible with the contents of the bottle.

The ridges 44 344 or grooves 376 are formed on one surface 302 of thedisc, with the opposite surface 304 being flat (FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and14). In one embodiment, the disc can be mated to the cap with its flatsurface 304 against the cap top portion 24 inner surface 46 (FIGS. 10and 13). In another embodiment, the disc is mated to the cap with itsridged or grooved surface 302 against the inner surface 46 of the captop portion (FIG. 11). With this embodiment, the flat surface side ofthe disc mates with the bottle mouth when the cap is torqued onto thebottle. Moreover, with this embodiment, the diameter of the disc shouldbe smaller then than the inner diameter of the cap annular wall 26 suchthat a gap 306 is defined between the annular wall 26 and the disc edge308. An opening 310 is formed through the thickness of the disc to allowthe gases generated in the bottle to travel from the bottle through theopening and to the grooved or ridged surface 302 of the disc. From therethe gas travels in the grooves or through the slots in the ridges andthrough the gap and through to the threaded space 52 (FIG. 3) betweenthe cap annular wall inner surface and the bottle neck outer surface.

With this latter embodiment, i.e., the embodiment where the ridgedsurface is mated to the inner surface of the cap top portion, the ridgesact as a spacer to separate the disc from the inner surface of the captop portion. Moreover, with this embodiment, to prevent the bending ofthe disc when the cap is threaded onto the bottle, the disc should bepositioned such that a ridge is located over the bottle neck rim 42.

1. A bottle cap for capping a bottle having a mouth having a rim, thecap comprising: a top portion having an inner surface; an annular wallextending from the top portion; a plurality of concentric circularridges formed on the top portion inner surface for registering with therim; and at least a slot formed across each of said plurality of ridges.2. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 comprising, wherein at least oneslot is formed across all the ridges.
 3. A bottle cap as recited inclaim 1 wherein a slot in each ridge is aligned with a slot in aconsecutive ridge for defining a single slot across said consecutiveridges.
 4. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 wherein the slot formedacross one ridge is circumferentially spaced apart from a slot formedacross an adjacent ridge.
 5. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 furthercomprising a liner fitted over the top portion inner surface, the linerhaving an opening formed through the liner thickness.
 6. A bottle cap asrecited in claim 1 wherein the top portion is hingedly coupled to theannular wall.
 7. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 further comprising amoveable spout extending from the top portion.
 8. A bottle capcomprising: a top portion having an inner surface; an annular wallextending from the top portion; and a groove formed on the inner surfaceof the top portion said groove extending chordwise from a first pointadjacent the annular wall to a second point adjacent the annular wall.9. A bottle cap as recited in claim 8 comprising a plurality of groovesformed on the inner surface of the top portion.
 10. A bottle capcomprising: a top portion having an inner surface; an annular wallextending from the top portion; a first set of parallel spaced apartgrooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion; and a second setof parallel spaced apart grooves formed on the inner surface of the topportion, wherein grooves of the first set intersect grooves of thesecond set.
 11. A bottle cap comprising: a top portion having an innersurface; an annular wall extending from the top portion; a plurality ofgrooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion; and a linerfitted over the top portion inner surface, the liner having an openingformed through its thickness.
 12. A bottle cap as recited in claim 8wherein the top portion is hingedly coupled to the annular wall.
 13. Abottle cap as recited in claim 8 further comprising a moveable spoutextending from the top portion.
 14. A vented bottle cap systemcomprising: a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth andthreads formed on the neck outer surface; a cap having a top portionhaving an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the topportion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface forthreading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck, wherein when thecap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between theouter surface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annularwall; a plurality of concentric circular ridges formed on the innersurface of the top portion; and a slot formed across each of saidplurality of ridges, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottleneck, the ridges sit on the bottle neck rim and the slots define apathway for gas generated in the bottle to escape across the bottle neckrim and through the pathway.
 15. A vented bottle cap system as recitedin claim 14 wherein a slot in each ridge is radially aligned with a slotin an adjacent ridge.
 16. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim14 wherein a slot in each ridge is circumferentially spaced apart from aslot in an adjacent ridge.
 17. A vented bottle cap system as recited inclaim 14 further comprising a liner fitted in the cap and having a holethrough its thickness, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottleneck, the liner sits on the bottle neck rim and wherein gases generatedin the bottle escape through the hole, through the slot and through thepathway.
 18. A vented bottle cap system comprising: a bottle having aneck having a rim defining a mouth and threads formed on the neck outersurface; a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and anannular wall extending from the top portion, the annular wall havingthreads formed on its inner surface for threading onto the threadsformed on the bottle neck, wherein when the cap is threaded onto thebottle neck a gas path is formed between outer surface of the bottleneck and the inner surface of the annular wall; and a groove formed onthe inner surface of the top portion wherein when the cap is threadedonto the bottle neck, the groove extends outwardly beyond two locationsof the rim of the bottle neck providing a pathway for gas generated inthe bottle to escape across the bottle neck mouth and through the gaspath.
 19. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 18 comprising aplurality of grooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion,wherein each groove extends radially beyond the rim of the bottle neckwhen the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck.
 20. A vented bottle capsystem as recited in claim 19 comprising a first set of parallel groovesand a second set of parallel grooves formed on the inner surface of thetop portion, wherein grooves of the first set intersect grooves of thesecond set.
 21. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 18further comprising a liner fitted in the cap and having a hole throughits thickness, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck,the liner sits on the bottle neck rim and wherein gases generated in thebottle escape through the hole, through the groove and through the gaspath.
 22. A method for venting gases generated in a bottle having a rimdefining a mouth and containing a liquid, the method comprising thesteps of: providing a cap having a top portion, a plurality of circularridges formed on an inner surface of the top portion and a slot formedacross each of said plurality of ridges; and torquing the cap on thebottle causing the plurality of ridges to sit on the rim, wherein theplurality of slots provide a pathway for the venting of gases.
 23. Amethod as recited in claim 22 further comprising the steps of: forcingliquid in the slot; and solidifying the liquid to block the pathwaythrough at least one of said slots.
 24. A method for venting gasesgenerated in a bottle having a rim defining a mouth and containing aliquid the method comprising the steps: providing a cap having a topportion and a groove formed on an inner surface of the top portion; andtorquing the cap on the bottle causing the inner surface of the topportion to sit on the rim, wherein the groove extends outwardly beyondtwo locations of the rim and provides a pathway for the venting ofgases.
 25. A method as recited in claim 24 further comprising the stepsof: forcing liquid in the groove; and solidifying the liquid to blockthe pathway through the groove.
 26. A vented bottle cap systemcomprising: a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth andthreads formed on the neck outer surface; a cap having a top portionhaving an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the topportion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface forthreading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck, wherein when thecap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between outersurface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall; adisc made of a material being at least semi hard fitted over the topportion inner surface, the disc having a first surface opposite a secondsurface, wherein the first surface faces the top portion inner surface;a circular ridge formed on the second surface of the disc; and a slotformed across the ridge, wherein when the cap is threaded onto thebottle neck, the ridge sits on the bottle neck rim and the slot forms apathway for gas generated in the bottle to escape across the bottle neckrim and through the gas path.
 27. A vented bottle cap system as recitedin claim 26 comprising: a plurality of concentric ridges formed in thesecond surface of the disc, wherein when the cap is threaded onto thebottle neck, the plurality of ridges contact the bottle neck rim; and atleast a slot in each ridge.
 28. A vented bottle cap system as recited inclaim 27 wherein at least a slot in each ridge is radially aligned witha slot in an adjacent ridge.
 29. A vented bottle cap system as recitedin claim 26 further comprising a liner fitted in the cap over the discand having a hole through its thickness, wherein when the cap isthreaded onto the bottle neck, the liner is sandwiched between the ridgeand the rim and wherein gases generated in the bottle escape through thehole, through the slot and through the gas path.
 30. A vented bottle capsystem as recited in claim 26 wherein the disc is made from plastic. 31.A vented bottle cap system comprising: a bottle having a neck having arim defining a mouth and having threads formed on the bottle neck outersurface; a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and anannular wall extending from the top portion, the annular wall havingthreads formed on its inner surface for threading onto the threadsformed on the bottle neck outer surface, wherein when the cap isthreaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between outer surfaceof the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall; a discmade of a material being at least semi hard fitted over the top portioninner surface, the disc having a first surface opposite a secondsurface, wherein the first surface faces the top portion inner surface;and a first set of parallel grooves and a second set of parallel groovesformed on the second surface of the disc, wherein grooves of the firstset intersect grooves of the second set, wherein when the cap isthreaded onto the bottle neck, the grooves extend radially beyond therim of the bottle neck providing pathways for gas generated in thebottle to escape across the bottle neck mouth.
 32. A vented bottle capsystem comprising: a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouthand threads formed on the neck outer surface; a cap having a top portionhaving an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the topportion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface forthreading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck outer surface,wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path isformed between the outer surface of the bottle neck and the innersurface of the annular wall; a disc made from a material being at leastsemi hard fitted over the top portion inner surface, the disc having acircumferential edge and a first surface opposite a second surface,wherein the first surface faces the top portion inner surface; a gapbetween the annular wall and the circumferential edge; an opening formedthrough the thickness of the disc, the opening located within the bottlemouth when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck; a circular ridgeformed on the first surface of the disc; and a slot formed across theridge, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the ridgeis located over the bottle neck rim and the opening and slot form apathway for gas generated in the bottle to escape across the bottle neckand through the gas path.
 33. A bottle cap liner disc for use with a capfor capping a bottle having a rim defining a bottle mouth and having aninner and an outer diameter, the disc allowing for the venting of gasesgenerated in a bottle when the cap is threaded on the bottle, the disccomprising: a first surface opposite a second surface and a thicknesstherebetween; an opening formed through the thickness; a circular ridgeformed on the first surface of the disc; and a slot formed across theridge.
 34. A bottle cap liner disc for use with a cap for capping abottle having a rim defining a bottle mouth and having an inner and anouter diameter, the disc allowing for the venting of gases generated ina bottle when the cap is threaded on the bottle, the disc comprising: afirst surface opposite a second surface; and a plurality of concentriccircular ridges formed on the first surface of the disc; and a slotformed across each of said plurality of ridges.
 35. An insert having anannular section for use with a cap for capping a bottle having a rimdefining a bottle mouth and having an inner and an outer diameter, theinsert allowing for the venting of gases generated in a bottle when thecap is threaded on the bottle, the disc defining a central opening andcomprising: a first surface opposite a second surface; a circular ridgeformed on the first surface of the annular section; and a slot formedacross the ridge.
 36. An insert as recited in claim 35 comprising aplurality of concentric circular ridges and a slot formed across each ofsaid plurality of ridges.
 37. A vented bottle cap system comprising: abottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth and threads formed onthe neck outer surface; a cap having a top portion having an innersurface and an annular wall extending from the top portion, the annularwall having threads formed on its inner surface for threading onto thethreads formed on the bottle neck, wherein when the cap is threaded ontothe bottle neck a gas path is formed between outer surface of the bottleneck and the inner surface of the annular wall; a venting member havingan annular section having a central opening and made of a material beingat least semi hard, the annular section having a first surface oppositea second surface and sandwiched between the cap inner surface and therim wherein the first surface faces the cap top portion inner surface; acircular ridge formed on the first surface of the annular section; and aslot formed across the ridge, wherein when the cap is threaded onto thebottle neck, the slot forms a pathway for gas generated in the bottle toescape through the opening and across the bottle neck rim and throughthe gas path.
 38. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 37comprising: a plurality of concentric ridges formed in the first surfaceof the annular section; and at least a slot in each ridge.
 39. A ventedbottle cap system as recited in claim 38 wherein at least a slot in eachridge is radially aligned with a slot in an adjacent ridge.
 40. A ventedbottle cap system as recited in claim 37 therein the insert is made fromplastic.
 41. A vented bottle cap system comprising: a bottle having aneck having a rim defining a mouth; a cap having a top portioncomprising an inner surface and an annular wall having an inner surfaceand extending from the top portion, wherein when the cap is capping thebottle neck, a first gas path is formed between an outer surface of thebottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall; and a second gaspath defined across the inner surface of the cap top portion incommunication with the first gas path, said second gas path comprising aplurality of linear slots, each of said linear slots extendingtransversely from another of said linear slots defining a continuousgroove on said inner surface, wherein gas in the bottle escapes via thesecond gas path to the first gas path.
 42. A system as recited in claim41 wherein a projection projects from the inner surface of the cap topportion for seating over the rim, and wherein the second gas path isformed across the projection.
 43. A system as recited in claim 41wherein said cap top portion inner surface is a surface of an insertinserted against the cap top portion.
 44. A vented bottle cap systemcomprising: a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth; a caphaving a top portion having an inner surface and an annular wall havingan inner surface and extending from the top portion; an annular insert,said annular insert located between the cap top portion inner surfaceand the rim, wherein when the cap is capping the bottle neck, a firstgas path is formed between an outer surface of the bottle neck and theannular wall; and a second gas path defined on the annular insert incommunication with the first gas path, said second gas path comprising aplurality of linear slots, each of said linear slots extendingtransversely from another of said linear slots defining a continuousgroove on said annular insert, wherein gas in the bottle escapes via thesecond gas path to the first gas path.
 45. A system as recited in claim44 wherein a projection projects from the annular insert for seatingover the rim, and wherein the second gas path is formed across theprojection.